Los Angeles: Grammy-winning singer Olivia Rodrigo has revealed that she has been living with partial hearing loss since childhood, sharing that she is 60% deaf in her left ear. The revelation came as the 23-year-old artist promoted her latest studio album.
The singer opened up about her condition during a recent appearance on KISS FM UK, offering fans a rare and personal insight into her life beyond music.
“I’m 60% Deaf in My Left Ear”
While discussing her new track “what’s wrong with me”, Rodrigo spoke candidly about her hearing condition.
She shared that the issue has been present since childhood and affects her ability to hear clearly from one side.
The singer added a lighthearted remark, saying that if someone tries to whisper into her left ear, she would not be able to understand them clearly, and joked that people should always speak into her right ear instead.
A Condition Discovered in Childhood
Rodrigo previously revealed that she first became aware of her hearing loss during a routine school screening in kindergarten.
At the time, she was informed that she had partial hearing impairment, something she had not noticed herself before the test.
Despite the condition, she has built a highly successful global music career.
Turning Challenges Into Humor
The singer is known for her candid and self-aware personality, and she often uses humor to discuss personal challenges.
She has previously joked about how she and her friends bond over their physical limitations, highlighting how she and photographer Petra Collins often laugh about how their respective conditions influence their creative work.
Rodrigo’s openness has resonated with fans who appreciate her honesty and relatability.
New Album Explores Love and Heartbreak
Her revelation comes as she promotes her third studio album, which explores the emotional journey of a young relationship—from excitement and passion to heartbreak and reflection.
The album has been described as deeply personal, with songs reflecting both vulnerability and emotional growth.
Reworking Songs After a Breakup
Rodrigo also shared that parts of the album were written during different phases of her relationship, which led her to revisit and revise earlier tracks after the breakup.
She explained that the process involved reshaping love songs into more emotionally complex versions, adding layers of honesty and reflection.
This creative evolution gave the album a more introspective and mature tone.
Conclusion
Olivia Rodrigo’s revelation about her partial hearing loss adds another layer of depth to her already personal new album era. Despite living with 60% hearing loss in one ear since childhood, the singer continues to thrive as one of pop music’s most influential voices.
Her openness about both her health and emotional journey has further strengthened her connection with fans worldwide.
